News Archive - December 2010

Restaurant workers held on UK visa laws

UK immigration officials have found three employees working illegally at a restaurant in Dorchester. The employer could face a fine of up to £30,000 for employing the illegal workers.

The men were discovered to be in breach of UK visa regulations at a raid on the establishment earlier this week (December 7th).

One of the employees, a 34-year-old, was found to have entered the country illegally, while the remaining two 26-year-old men had both remained in the country after the expiration date of their UK visas.

The offenders will now be questioned until steps are taken by the UK Border Agency to remove them.

Meanwhile, Spice Centre, the employer, is to be served with a civil penalty notice for employing illegal workers and, if unable to provide evidence that legally-required checks were carried out, the restaurant may be issued with a fine of up to £10,000 for each worker.

Immigration minister Damian Green commented: "Illegal immigration puts huge pressure on the public purse at a time when the country can least afford it.

"Together with the police and the Serious Organised Crime Agency we will continue to make life as difficult as possible for those who cheat the immigration system."

The news follows recent remarks made by the British Hospitality Association (BHA), suggesting that the sector will struggle with the changes to UK immigration regulations announced in November.

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the BHA, explained that specialist non-European chefs will find it very difficult to enter the country when Tier 2 work permit applicants are required to have graduate status.